Mystery surrounds the apparent links between an alleged armed robber and Czech businessman and suspected underworld kingpin Radovan Krejcir.
The robbery suspect was shot in the hand while attacking a Pretoria West electronics store on Sunday. He was arrested on Monday.
The man, whose identity is known, was nabbed for his alleged involvement in the attack on Ali’s Electronics during which R200 000 was stolen.
Police on Wednesday confirmed the man’s arrest, but said he was later released after a prosecutor struck the case off the roll pending further investigation.
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said that despite the case being struck off the roll their investigation into the robbery was continuing.
On Sunday, about six men stormed into the business and held up the owner.
“They robbed him of R200 000,” Dlamini said. “As the suspects fled, the owner opened fire with the robbers shooting back.
“During the shoot-out one of the suspects was shot in the hand.
“The suspects fled in a white Toyota Fortuner, a black Audi TT and a red Toyota Hilux.
The vehicles were later found abandoned at Fountains Valley.
“Police, who responded to the robbery, traced the owner of the abandoned bakkie, who was shot in the hand, to his home in Sandton.
“The bakkie had numerous bullet holes in it.
“Apart from arresting the suspect, Pretoria West police station detectives also confiscated the man’s firearm.”
The gun has been sent for ballistic testing.
“Unfortunately, the suspect, who appeared in court this week, was released after the case was struck off the roll pending further investigation,” Dlamini said.
Asked about the suspect’s alleged links to Krejcir, which Talk Radio 702 reported on yesterday, Dlamini said he had no idea where the allegations came from.
“Maybe it is from the media’s sources. We definitely do not know of any link to Krejcir.” - Pretoria News